Gambling is one of the best ways for relaxation but the after-effects of exposure to gambling might turn out to be a disaster. People who are hooked on gambling might develop a compulsive gambling disorder and might find it difficult to recover from it. Luckily an article[1] I stumbled while surfing the internet have some tips on how to Manage Gambling addiction if not recover from it. This is an open discussion so it would be great if you will also give personal input or tips on how to recover from gambling addiction.
Btw, here are some of the list of the Gambling Addiction Thread in this Forum, feel free to visit the thread discussion.
Now back to the topic, before we go on we should first define what is gambling addiction. So from the definition:
What is Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is a progressive addiction[2]
that can have many negative psychological, physical, and social repercussions. It is classed as an impulse-control disorder.[3]
Another definition is:
Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you’re a compulsive gambler, you can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.[1]
In order to address gambling addiction, the player must identify if he has the signs of the gambling addiction. He can then check if he experiences any on the list of the sign of gambling addiction. It was stated that if ever a player experience at least 4 of the symptoms, he might have a compulsive gambling disorder.
Signs of Gambling Addiction:Diagnosis
A diagnosis of gambling disorder requires at least four of the following during the past year:
- Need to gamble with increasing amounts to achieve the desired excitement.
- Restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
- Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling.
- Frequent thoughts about gambling (such as reliving past gambling or planning future gambling).
- Often gambling when feeling distressed.
- After losing money gambling, often returning to get even. (This is referred to as "chasing" one's losses.)
- Lying to hide gambling activity.
- Risking or losing a close relationship, a job, or a school or job opportunity because of gambling.
- Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling
Here is the process of treating Gambling Problems or at least Manage the Gambling addiction:
Admit to Have a Gambling ProblemOnce we identify that we had those signs, we must admit that we have a gambling problem so that it will be easier to process a recovery therapy. Denial won't help because it will only block all the medications needed to recover from gambling addiction. One we admit the problem, it is the best time to seek help from professionals who specialized in this kind of addiction.
Remember That Gambling Addiction Can Be CuredIn the past, gambling addiction would be associated with down-on-their-luck no-goods who would waste their money and time. However, today we all know that gambling addiction can be cured, or at the very least -managed.
This means that there is no reason for you not to seek help when you need it. Acknowledging that you have a problem is your way out. But why seek professional help? We now have research that offers proof that we can quit gambling addiction only if we have a controlled environment.
While the therapies that gambling addicts are put through are never invasive, they are extremely helpful. Most of them are based on the idea that your “passion” for gambling can be channeled in a new, more constructive direction.
Addicts do not get fully well throughout their entire lifetime, but with consistent oversight, self-restraint, and even at the cost of small relapses, addiction can be treated, and eventually minimized or completely remedied. So, the answer to the question of can gambling addiction be cured is a resounding yes!
Seek gambling addiction treatment in your area and know that the money you would potentially spend on a good clinic will be worth it and you will walk away from a changed person
Do Not Quit Gambling Cold TurkeyIf you are planning to quit gambling, don't do it in an instant. It is best to quit gambling slowly like making less and less time for gambling until we are ready to stop full time. Quitting in an instant won't help because there is psychologist behind it. It is said that altering behavior in a whim is a very hard thing to do unless a person have strong wil to do it. People who don't will have more problem than usual because stopping on anything a person is fond with won't happen overnight. It will be a better thing if a person who wanted to stop to go through a process. This way, family and friends can help.
Use an App to stop GamblingThe power of modernity is at your fingertips and using a stop gambling app could help you not only stop gambling but also get better and even help others. Such gambling apps are proving to be useful and they may help you monitor and exclude yourself from gambling.
Depending on where you are, you will definitely benefit from using dedicated software that will communicate with licensed operators that you are at risk of excessive gambling spending, and therefore not permitted to access gambling – or even not gamble beyond a certain limit.
There are some excellent solutions that will work here, such as the Gambling Therapy app available on Google Play and Apple Store. The use of such apps is still in its nascence as consumers are only now becoming aware that they can use them to monitor and even improve their gambling behavior.
Such apps usually provide you with tools to set limits, both financially and in terms of time, and benefit from more balanced gambling overall.
Remind Yourself that Gamblers ChangeIt was a thing of the pass that gambler don't change. Many people speculate that once a person is addicted to gambling, they will forever a gambling addict. But this thing has been proven wrong. Many gambling addicts who gone through medical treatments are able to recover and avoid gambling all in all.
While we acknowledge that the compulsion to do things excessively is difficult to overcome, there are still many good examples that demonstrate how gambling addiction can be controlled and how gamblers can, over time and with the right help, change for the better.
Assume Responsibility for Your ActionsIf there is a will there is a way. We should take responsibility on every fault we do during our gambling addiction. It is the most important parts of tackling the problem, it maybe hard and may take a long period to admit, but it is a healthy thing to do.[1]
People are by nature defensive and often seek to excuse and project their own mistakes onto others. Like gambling addicts, we are no different, if not even worse. However, our mistakes can quickly turn too costly, and this is why we need to act on time and nip them in the bud if and when possible – admitting fault is a good way to start.
Read Gambling Addiction Stories on RedditThere are many reasons to quit gambling addiction. But if you really want to quit, you need to see what others have gone through and are doing. There are many stories on how to quit gambling on Reddit, and you can read through those personal anonymous testimonies and see if that will inspire you to fight the issue yourself.
Of course, simply reading about someone else’s gambling addiction is not a way to tackle your own problem, but it’s definitely a good way to see that there are people just like yourself who come from various backgrounds and they go through the same challenging emotional turbulences you do.
Get Help Online If You Can’t Afford ClinicIf treatment for you is too expensive, there are lots of online gambling addiction help sites that are ready to help us.
Organizations such as the National Council on Problem Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous are trusted and reliable organizations that will get you help. While some issues with their funding remain, there are many opportunities to take advantage to ensure that you are coping with the problem.
Find a Hobby and Pour Your Passion into ItIt’s not entirely accurate to say that your gambling addiction is just a hobby. There is a well-documented physiological response that happens in your brain when you win or even lose money. Endorphin is released and elation is felt. It’s a powerful emotion that quickly can become an addiction.
The best way to divert attention from gambling is to look for another interests that requires both physical and mental activities. This will occupy our idle time and if we put our passion to it, it may replace the urge to gamble by the passion to do more helpful things.
All the stated tips to stopping gambling are very much reliable and encompassing for every gambler that's struggling with gambling addiction. Although am not a gambling addict but I clear can remember that for the past three weeks or so, I have had time for gambling due to an interesting project i have been battling to secure for myself for it's execution. And cause of the interest I so much put in to ensure the success of the project am occupied with I could hardly think of giving myself time to make any bet on even one of the four casinos I use for gambling.
So for sure to an extent when a gambling addict occupied himself with something or an activity that captures his interest for sure his gambling addiction will gradually die away and put under control.
